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Goddess’s Warrior.
‘HALT’
The company of mercenary soldiers stamped to a halt. From her position near the back of the column, Olivia peered ahead. She saw a line of ten wagons drawn by mules with the usual archers on the wagons and escort of men-at-arms. Lieutenant Amelia was approaching the caravan with Sergeant Crandall.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ the merchant demanded.
‘Merchant, I am Lieutenant Amelia of the Ravens. We are contracted by the Fenton Council to search all merchant caravans in their sphere for contraband. Please have your people step down while your wagons are examined.’
‘Are you suggesting I am a smuggler? I am a full member of the Merchants Guild, Lieutenant and my Guild will complain to your employer about your high-handed actions here.’
‘You may do as you wish, sir. Make your complaints to the Fenton Governing Council. You are in their territory as I’m sure you know. Your record, please. Sergeant, have the wagons unloaded and the cargo checked against their record.’
The merchant signalled his people to stand aside while the mercenaries came forward and unloaded the wagons As Olivia carried item after item from the wagons and stacked them at the roadside she realized there was something odd with the wagon’s load. It consisted of some boxes and a lot of flowering plants in pots. The flowers were putting out a strong perfume. But once the flowers were moved away from the wagon Olivia smelt something else. She looked around for the Lieutenant. She was going carefully over the cargo and seeing that it matched the merchant’s record. Olivia looked at Sergeant Crandall. He was with the Lieutenant. Olivia looked for Corporal Francis. He saw her looking at him and came to where she was standing.
‘Something worrying you soldier?’ he queried.
‘Yes sir. Is the Lieutenant aware that merchant wagons sometimes have hidden compartments?’
‘I’m sure the Lieutenant knows what she is doing, Private. Don’t you worry about it. Get back to work.’
‘Yes, Sir.’
An hour later the wagons were reloaded and were continuing on their way. The soldiers formed up and resumed their march. That night Olivia was assigned first watch. As she always did, Lieutenant Amelia walked round the watch-posts before she turned in. on seeing her approach, Olivia decided to take a chance.
‘All well, soldier?’ the Lieutenant queried.
‘I have a question if the lieutenant wouldn’t mind,’ replied Olivia.
‘Well?’
‘Did you deliberately let that merchant caravan go, knowing it was carrying hidden cargo, Ma’am?’
‘What? What hidden cargo?’
‘You mean you didn’t know, Ma’am?’
‘How can you be so sure of this?’
‘I was brought up by a merchant family, Ma’am. For more than seven years I travelled with my foster-father’s caravans. I’m certain that caravan was smuggling something - what I don‘t know - but whatever it was it put out a smell. The flowers were there to cover that smell.’
‘If this is so why didn’t you speak up then?’
‘I did, M’am. I told Corporal Francis. He said not to trouble you. You were with Sergeant Crandall going over the cargo with the merchant at the time.’
‘Do you have any idea where they could have been carrying these smuggled goods? I thought we searched them thoroughly.’
‘The wagons had false bottoms covering hidden compartments, Ma’am.’
‘I… see. Very well, soldier. I will consider this. Carry on.’